Improvement in folding boxes



Improvement in Foldn g-Boxes.

Patented May 28,1871.

MED STATES? IMPROVEMENT IN FOLDING BoxEs.

Specication forming part of Letters Patent No. 115,183, dated May 23, 1871.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, NrcoLAUs ERPELD- ING and JOHN ERPELDING, of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain Improvements in Folding Box or Baskets, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawing.

Our invention relates to an improved manner of constructing a folding lunch-box, as hereinafter described.

Figure l is a perspective view of our improved box ready for use. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section through the middle of the same. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section of the same. Figs. 4 and 5 are, respectively, a longitudinal and a transverse section of the box when folded up. Fig. 6 is a perspective vie'w of the lower part of one of the end piecesl ofthe box; and Figs. 7 and 8 are, respectively, an inside face view and a crosssection of the lock.

In constructing our box we rst provide a narrow rectangular metal frame, A, and to one side ofthe same hinge a liat top, B, provided with a rim or flange around its edges, which ts down outside of the frame when the top is closed, as shown. To the inside of frame A, at each end, we hinge the upper edge of an 'end piece, F, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the

two end pieces being somewhat narrower at the lower than at the upper edge, so as to fold freely into the frame. In the lower edge of each end plate F we secure a wire, a, with its projecting ends bent at right angles, as shown invFig.l 6. We next provide the bottom plate G, of such size that it will lit within the frame A, and with a iiange turned over inward on `its four edges, as shown in Figs. 2, 3, 4, and

5. This plate we apply against the lower edges of the end plate F, and slip the ends of wires a. under the side anges of the bottom, as shown in Figs. 3,4, and 5. In this manner the bottom is secured to the two end plates,

while at the same time the latter are left free up into the frame-A, and draw the bottomV plate up iat `against them, as shown in Fig. 4; but when the ends are `turned outward from the body their lower edges slide out to the ends of the bottom G, which is thus pushed out and supported below the frame, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

To the inner front side of the frame A we hinge the front plate E, which, whenit is turned down,bears against the bottom G and inside of the ends F so as to hold said parts rigidly in position., To the inner rear side of the frame we hinge the back plate C, which is similar to and folds down in the same manner as the front plate. To the lower edge of the back plate we hinge another plate, D, which folds down on top of the bottom G, and bears against the inside of the back,-front, and end plates, so as to hold them out in place. The end plates F are formed with flanges s on their vertical edges, which, when the box is extended, clasp over the ends of the front and back plates, so as to form close joints and stiffen the plates. 0n the lower edges of the front and back plates are formed narrow ilanges or beads, which, when the box is extended, fit under the side flanges of the bottom, so as to form tight joints and prevent the bottom from sagging. To the frame Awe attach two wire handles or bails, J, which may be folded down around the ends of the frame when the box is closed. To the front of the top B we hinge a catch or hasp, H,'which locks into a slot in the frame for the purpose of holding the top shut; and to the inside of the front plate E we secure acombined springcatch and lock, I, to hold the hasp H in the slot.

This catch and lock may be of any suitable construction, provided that it can be operat ed by the thumb under ordinary circumstances, but locked with a key when necessary.

When it is desired to close or compress the box the false bottom D is folded up against the back C, the top closed, and the false boti tom and the back plate both folded into the frame under the top B; then the front plate E folded up against the back and, finally, the ends C turned inward and closed with the bot-V tom into the frame, as shown in Figs. 4 fnd 5.

When thus closed the box presents a very neat and compact form, and may be readily slipped into the pocket. By this method of construction we produce a very neat, cheap,

and strong box, which can be quickly extend* ed for use or folded when empty.

ATENT OFFICE.

It is obvious that the plate D may be dispensed with, and catches or other devices applied to the inside of the box to hold the front and back plates in place. When, however, the box is used by school children, the space between the plate D and the bottom forms a very convenient receptacle for such papers as it may be necessary for them to carry to and from school.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. The folding box, consisting of the frame A, having the top, side, and end pieces hinged scribed.

NIOOLAUS ERPELDING. JOHN ERPELDING.

Witnesses:

' WM. H. LOTZ,

WM. LOUGHVERT. 

